How do I add APKs in an AOSP build?

Adding third party APKs to the build is definitely possible.

Also APKs and APPs with source code go to the same place; the package/app folder.

Adding a new APK to the build

In the AOSP root add the folder:

<aosp root>/package/app/< yourappfolder >

Then inside this folder add:

• empty Android.mk
• < yourapp.apk >

The android make file should have the reference to your apk, add this to your Android.mk:

LOCAL_PATH := $(call my-dir)

include $(CLEAR_VARS)

LOCAL_MODULE_TAGS := optional

LOCAL_MODULE := < your app folder name >

LOCAL_CERTIFICATE := < desired key >

LOCAL_SRC_FILES := < app apk filename >

LOCAL_MODULE_CLASS := APPS

LOCAL_MODULE_SUFFIX := $(COMMON_ANDROID_PACKAGE_SUFFIX)

include $(BUILD_PREBUILT)

Create an entry in the commons.mk (from AOSP 8.1.0 onwards it is called core.mk, and is usually found in build/target/product) for your apk add the line (check where all the others are)

PRODUCT_PACKAGES += < what you have defined in LOCAL_MODULE, it should be your app folder name >

Compile the AOSP and you have a brand new app installed on the system.

Notes

• If your APK is already signed, use the special value PRESIGNED as value for LOCAL_CERTIFICATE
• If you want your APK to end up in the /data/app/ directory, add the line LOCAL_MODULE_PATH := $(TARGET_OUT_DATA) before the line include $(BUILD_PREBUILT)

The Android.mk presented above will install the APK in /system/app

If you wish to install the APK in /data/app you will need to add the following the line to Android.mk before line include $(BUILD_PREBUILT)

LOCAL_MODULE_PATH := $(TARGET_OUT_DATA)